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Sports

No excuses acceptable for new Warriors coach

By Reuters
Published | Updated

By Steve Ginsburg

DALLAS (Reuters) - New Golden State Warriors coach Mark Jackson said on Tuesday he will "not tolerate excuses" when he takes the reins of the struggling franchise.

Jackson, 46, was hired on Monday to replace Keith Smart, who went 36-46 in his only season as the Warriors' coach.

The former NBA guard conceded he would "love to have size" on his team but added they could still win without a dominating presence in the paint.

Jackson, who will join the team at the conclusion of the NBA Finals where he is serving as a television analyst, said most teams do not have the height of Dallas's seven-footers, Tyson Chandler and Brendan Haywood and would need to find other ways to win games.

"I would be sitting here lying to you if I said that size does not matter," he told reporters before Game Four of the NBA finals between Dallas and the Miami Heat.

"Find a way to go out there and get it done by any means necessary. We will not tolerate excuses."

Jackson said the Warriors, who have made the playoffs just once since 1994, already have some pieces in place that can reverse the fortunes of the struggling franchise.

"We have a great rebounder in David Lee, one of the best in the business," he said.

"We have guards with tremendous athletic ability on the offensive end, which tells me you can go get some rebounds.

"Collectively we will find a way to get it done."

Jackson, who said former New Orleans assistant Michael Malone would join his staff, said a playoff berth next season is a possibility.

"When you look at that talent level, this is certainly a team that's more than capable of making the playoffs and making a run," said Jackson, the NBA's third all-time assist leader.

"No problem on the offensive end. Can score the basketball. Certainly got to get better with the ability to score on the low block where teams get quality points and easy points.

"But that's going to come. The main thing is the culture has to change."

(Editing by Greg Stutchbury)